Casaque arc-en-ciel

This is a fine little Ealing film from the great Basil Dearden - lots of brilliant outdoor shots of various race courses around southern England; really captures the colour and excitement of racing (I don't even like racing or gambling on horses). Okay, some of the racing shots are obviously shot in some empty field somewhere and cut together with racing footage but the effect is good. Great shots of Brentford and west London and some of the main line train stations. There's the Griffin Pub in Brentford (right near the football ground, incidentally) and an incredibly gruff, working class area that is now for the rich only. That's the great thing about these Ealing films - they all give you an amazing insight into a society that has changed so much in just 50 years.

Simple but effective script from Tibby Clarke, too.

I quite enjoyed this slightly over-long tale of a young, aspiring jockey. There isn't much about the nags that "Georgie" (Fella Edmonds) doesn't know and he yearns to get a race. That might just prove possible when he encounters disgraced former champion "Sam" (Bill Owen) at a meeting where he successfully calls the result. Next thing, he's got a job as a stable boy where he could get a ride for the wealthy "Mr. Logan" (Robert Morley). He is a loyal young man who really only wants to help his mother (Kay Walsh) and now, to repay his mentor. It's the latter man who might put a spanner in his works, though - he has got into some trouble and now needs a "favour" from his young protegée. Just managing to get away with that, we just know there will be more unscrupulousness to come - but maybe, just maybe, "Sam" might just grow a pair and save the young man from having to follow in his inauspicious footsteps? Basil Dearden has assembled a solid cast here with an on-form Morley, Wilfrid Hyde-White very much playing to type and a few regulars like Sid James and Michael Trubshawe in there too. Edmonds does fine as the engaging and honourable young lad and by the conclusion, I suspect everyone wanted a few quid on his horse. Sure, it's all a bit predictable but so many of these films were just designed to take our attention from the post-war ravages that still dogged most of daily life in Britain. This one does that quite engagingly and is worth a watch.

if you enjoy horse racing and all that goes with it.If like me you find it a complete bore don't waste your time with this film.The only good thing about it is the colour cinematography.The story is full of clichés and it is surprising to realise that the great T.E.B.Clarke was the scriptwriter.I have to say that after a relatively short period of time I pulled up lame as I was clearly unable to last the course and was unwilling to risk a stewards enquiry.All the usual characters were to be seen such as Robert Morely and Wilfred Hyde White.However by this time Ealing was starting to run out of steam and more importantly money.It only had 2 years left before it was sold to BBC for television productions.You might call that a lame finish.

Interesting to see that Sports movies basically haven't changed a lot in 70 years. This is more of a matinee from Ealing Studios with a cast of well known British actors of their day, although Bill Owen wouldn't gain national fame until twenty years later. A knowledge or love of Horse racing isn't necessary to enjoy this tale that's watchable but not great.

But a winner in many ways,unless your short sighted like one review on here.You will need a bit of imagination and remember when this was made 1954. Bill Owen star of many British films of that time yes compo,good solid turn in this one,like many of his films.All ok performances and a believable and ok story worth a watch.Watch out for lame reviewers that can't see beyond their short nose.